wait

[/weɪt/]

verb/noun

esperar

1. (verb) to stay in place or delay action until something happens or someone arrives

Please wait here for a few minutes.

Por favor, espere aqui por alguns minutos.

2. (verb) to serve food or drinks to customers

She waits tables at the restaurant.

Ela trabalha como garçonete no restaurante.

3. (noun) a period of time spent waiting

The wait for the bus was long.

A espera pelo ônibus foi longa.

4. (verb) to be in readiness or anticipation for something

Success waits for those who work hard.

O sucesso aguarda aqueles que trabalham duro.

NYC Slang

hold up

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

esperar

most common form across Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

esperar

standard usage, sometimes 'ficar esperando' for emphasis

São Paulo

esperar

standard usage, business contexts may use 'aguardar' for formality

Portugal

esperar/aguardar

aguardar more formal; 'espera aí' used colloquially for 'wait a moment'

wait and see

wait in the wings

can't wait

wait for it

keep someone waiting

wait your turn

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